Editorial: Obama puts his team in place

Tuesday

Dec 23, 2008 at 12:01 AMDec 23, 2008 at 11:17 PM

President-elect Barack Obama has completed his Cabinet appointments in what may be record time. While his campaign rhetoric was often lofty, his Cabinet selections indicate the hallmarks of his administration will be pragmatism, moderation and seriousness.

President-elect Barack Obama has completed his Cabinet appointments in what may be record time. While his campaign rhetoric was often lofty, his Cabinet selections indicate the hallmarks of his administration will be pragmatism, moderation and seriousness.

On resumes alone, this is an impressive bunch: four former presidential rivals, six current or former members of Congress, three former Cabinet members. There are some respected intellects on the team, but the emphasis is on governing experience. Obama has hired people who can get things done.

Compared with some previous presidents, Obama has resisted the urge to staff his administration with loyalists, cronies and yes-men. Because they built their careers before Obama came along, they will be less likely to tell him what he wants to hear -- which is what Obama has said he wants.

They may not all be superstars, but we've seen no indication they won't all be easily confirmed. The Democratic-controlled Senate could be expected to be supportive, but the reaction of Republicans to the nominees has also been positive.

On the nation's two most pressing issues, the economy and two foreign wars, Obama has maintained operational continuity. Defense Secretary Robert Gates will stay on at the Pentagon, overseeing strategies in Iraq and Afghanistan that have already turned in the directions Obama called for during the campaign. Treasury Secretary-designee Timothy Geithner has been near the center of the storm that rocked the financial services sector. He'll be ready to change course as needed, but he won't have to be briefed on what has happened so far.

Obama put strong individuals at the top of the Cabinet departments, but he is keeping the heart of policy formulation in the White House. On the highest priority areas, he overcomes traditional silos by having a coordinator in the West Wing: Lawrence Summers on the economy, Carole Browner on energy/environment and Tom Daschle on health care, as well as a strong national security adviser in retired Gen. James Jones.

It is also reassuring that Obama's team isn't waiting for Jan. 20 to start working. Obama and his appointees are already forming policy and transition teams are at work in all executive branch agencies -- with unprecedented cooperation from Bush administration officials.

Congress is working as well, and the incoming administration is well-stocked with people who can bridge the gap between the branches. Sens. Ted Kennedy and Max Baucus, for instance, have been working for months on a health care reform package to put before Congress. As Secretary of Health and Human Services, Daschle, a former Senate majority leader, should be able to keep Congress and the White House on the same page.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic leaders say they want to have major legislation on Obama's desk the day he takes office, including the economic recovery plan that is his top priority. If they can even come close, that would be unprecedented -- and a clear indicator of a successful transition.

To some extent, this is Spring Training talk -- as the team takes shape, we mull its strengths and weaknesses. Jan. 20, they take the field and we'll see how they play the game. But Obama, among the least experienced players, has already done impressive work in assembling the team.